Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’

In a public statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Root of the Controversy

Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.

“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.

The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.

An Egregious Rebuke

Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”

The criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.

Past Support and Future Moves

Yormark further pointed out the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its title game.

“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”

Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.

The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.